Since WeChat added a payment platform to its app back in 2013, Chinese shoppers have been keen to adopt mobile payment methods – and they’re doing so at a much faster pace than the rest of the world. In fact, 81% of consumers nationwide use their mobile to shop.

“Your money isn’t welcome here.” It’s a very rare occasion that diners at a restaurant will ever hear these words, but they may soon be common at US-based fast casual chain Sweetgreen, which is getting rid of cash payments in most of its 64 stores. Are Americans ready to ditch physical currency?

For one day in June 2014, all shops on a busy high street in Chorlton wouldn’t let customers buy anything with cash. From bakeries to pubs and gift shops, all items had to be paid for with card - testing reactions to a future scenario when paper money becomes redundant.

Weighed down by your wallet? Purse cluttered up with cards? Then perhaps Kerv is the wearable you’ve been waiting for. This smart ring enables people to make payments without a counterpart device, while also functioning as an Oyster card and a repository for emergency and medical info.